SALT LAKE CITY-The University of Utah women's track and field team gets ready to host the first Utah Spring Classic at the new McCarthey Family Track and Field on Friday. The action will get underway with the hammer throw at 1 p.m. at Guardsman Field, while the remaining events will be held at the McCarthey Family Track and Field beginning at 4:30 p.m.

"We expect to put on a quality track meet and have some fun doing it," Utah head coach Kyle Kepler said. "We look at this as an opportunity to not only compete at home, but say thank you to everyone who supports us and honor our graduating seniors."

"Brianna LeRoy has steadily improved throughout her career," Kepler said. "Last year she led our team with 18 points at the conference meet by scoring in five events. She has also been an NCAA qualifier in tow events. Brianna has overcome a serious foot injury, which says a lot about her perseverance and self motivation."

"Klaudia Rokossa is having her best year as a Ute in her senior season," Kepler stated. "She had a lifetime best clearance during the indoor season at the MPSF Championships."

"Alexis and Brooke have been steady leaders on and off the track for our team over their careers," Kepler continued. "They have had personal bests in various events here at Utah. Both have performed at a high level in the classroom as well. They work hard every day and always bring great attitudes to everything they do."

Leading the Utes in the long jump will be LeRoy, who currently ranks 53rd in the nation for her 19-7.50 mark earned at the ASU Invitational earlier this year. LeRoy also has the 20th best performance in the nation in the heptathlon with 5,168 points (Aztec Invitational).

Coming off a good performance at the Stanford Invitational, junior Amanda Mergaert is nationally ranked 73rd in the 1500m.

The throwing events will feature an array of juniors. Anneli Stahl will lead the way in the hammer throw after posting the 50th top performance in the nation with a mark of 186-2.25 at the UVU Open. Nikkie Rudder is also nationally ranked 95th with her 47-8.00 performance at the ASU Invitational.

"We want to compete hard and win as many events as possible," Kepler said. "We know there will be many good athletes competing. With most of the Utah schools and a full roster from Montana State and Idaho State, every event will feature some outstanding regional and national level athletes. We will have our hands full, but that is exactly what we need at this time of the year in order to get better. We have to embrace these opportunities and allow them to help us move forward and improve."

"To have to wait an extra 365 days to host this meet due to the poor weather conditions a year ago has been difficult," Kepler continued. "There are a lot of people who are excited to see a track meet on our campus for the first time in over 30 years. Many people have been involved in helping us plan a fun and exciting evening of track at field at our new home."